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When the votes have been counted after this fall’s municipal election, don’t expect any appreciable increase in the number of women on London city council. For one thing, only a relative handful of women have signed up to run for office. What’s holding them back? Megan Stacey reports.

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How could you get involved in something like that? What about your kids? How will you do it all?

Those are among the concerns experts say keep more women from stepping into the political ring.

Only a relative handful of women in London have signing up so far for this fall’s municipal election.

There’s little chance female representation on London city council will increase after this fall’s election.

The numbers:

Only about 25% of the 60 declared candidates are women.

So far, voters in Wards 6 and 12 don’t even have the option of electing a female representative.

Only two wards have more than one female candidate.

Eleven of 12 mayoral hopefuls are men.

While London has a long history of producing high-powered female politicians — Deputy Premier Deb Matthews and three of the past four mayors among them — it’s falling short on 2014 council candidates.

“Women often don’t put themselves forward, they need to be asked,” said Clare Beckton, who runs Carleton University’s Centre for Women in Politics.

As this term ends for a 15-member city council that had just five women, three of whom aren’t seeking re-election, one local activist said she believes the hesitation is rooted in more than just the long-held belief that women lack confidence.

“I think the confidence gap is rooted in systemic issues,” said Londoner Shawna Lewkowitz, who founded the group Women & Politics.

“We’re told to be more assertive, we’re told to lean in, but if women do that, when they cross over some imaginary line, they are often called aggressive.”

City council’s male/female split is keeping pace with the rate of female participation in federal and provincial politics and on municipal councils nationwide.

But should that be good enough, when roughly 52% of Londoners are female?

Not for Anna Hopkins, who looks like a front-runner to be elected in west-end Ward 9 this fall.

“There definitely is a need in London for more female representation. We have to reflect London’s population,” she said. “Women have experiences that make us good candidates.”

Hopkins said she believes many women’s lives make them intimately familiar with municipal policies and systems. She cites her time on the board of a non-profit daycare and involvement with her son’s sports teams as two examples.

Politics can be nasty, as everyone knows. And that kind of rough-and-tumble environment can be uninviting for women, Beckton said.

Then again, politicians don’t come much tougher than former longtime councillor Cheryl Miller. And this council includes Joni Baechler, Nancy Branscombe and Sandy White — none of whom is afraid of a confrontation.

Perhaps it’s something more personal. Lewkowitz suggested a lack of support at home, particularly with child care, is a major challenge.

“(It’s) the unequal distribution of domestic labour, where women are still primarily responsible for child care and other things in their life, so they don’t necessarily have as much free time to devote to canvassing,” she said.

But for Maureen Cassidy, a 48-year-old breast cancer survivor who last week entered the crowded Ward 5 race, having children is a main source of motivation to enter politics.

Cassidy, who’s stayed home since the youngest of her three kids was born, had them in mind when she decided to run.

“I think it’s so important for my children, especially my daughters, but also my son, to see that both of their parents are capable of so many things and nobody is limited by their gender,” she said.

With files by Free Press reporter Patrick Maloney

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HEAD START FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS

What it is: A program that aims to identify and address barriers to political participation faced by young pepole.

Background: Started last September after Federation of Canadian Municipalities 2013 statistics found that only about a quarter of mayors and councillors across Canada are women, even though they make up more than half the population.

Goal: “The end goal is aiming to reach 30% representation of women in local government across Canada,” program co-ordinator Melissa Newitt said, the minimum standard set by the United Nations for women’s representation in politics.

Where: The program has been rolled out in six communities across Canada — including London. Each city has chosen its own project.

In London: Organizers are making a documentary — called 25% — to “instil an interest in civics and politics” with young people, specifically women, Mayor Joni Baechler said. The documentary is in production stages but is expected to be completed by fall. It will be about 30 minutes long and will include interviews from people across the country.

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WHAT THEY SAID

Mayor Joni Baechler

“We felt that we needed to build this documentary around a number of elements that are problems for women and address why we do need women at the table.”

Adam Caplan (producer of 25%)

“It’s about inclusion and diversity across a lot of different dimensions. If we don’t have appropriate representation from each of the different communities that live as part of our larger community, then we are not really functioning as a democracy.”

Jennifer Bieman, The London Free Press

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WHAT CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SAY

Nancy McSloy, Ward 2

“When there are things . . . said about a family member, I think that is one of the reasons women don’t get into politics. There can be mud-slinging, and when that happens that can feel like a personal attack to some people.”

Claudette J. Drouin, Ward 3

“I’m on an equal playing field — just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m not equal to the men. I can give them a run for their money just as they can give me a run for my money.”

Sheryl Rooth, Ward 4

“I’ve had only one person ask me ‘How can you do it all? Have a marriage, a family, a job, a home and be a city councillor?’ And while it is a fair question, I have to wonder if anyone asks a man this question. It’s all about balance, support, organization and responsibility.”

Donna Szpakowski, Ward 7

“I really don’t feel that people in Ward 7 are looking for a female as much as they are looking for good representation of their needs and the London community. Many women have trouble developing the self-confidence necessary to promote themselves, especially in high-profile situations.”

Virginia Ridley, Ward 10

“I would have child care available at city hall meetings. That is a hurdle, especially for people with young children . . . if there was a safe and fun thing for children to do at concurrent times of council, that would help me as a candidate to be able to attend more meetings, and for my children to feel more involved.”

Tanya Park, Ward 13

“When I speak with the people who aren’t necessarily constituents of my ward, they’re like ‘that’s great, we need more women in politics . . . ’ The whole idea that it’s the old boys’ club that women have to overcome is an intimidating thing to overcome. But it is achievable.”